One of my secret and top favourite things to do in the area is a daytrip to Roundstone. Go from Clifden to Roundstone and plan to stop at the best and most wellknown (some of them are hidden if you take little roads on small peninsulas) beaches of Ireland.
One of the most famous one is the Dog’s Bay. It is endless and lies with all its beauty in a little bay just shortly before the small old fisher village Roundstone. But beware of hot summer weekends since the popular beaches can get really crowded. Plan a whole day to just lie on the beach and enjoy refreshing baths in the Atlantic Ocean as well as endless sunbathing on the white beaches.
You will discover splendid white beaches with the scenery of the Twelve Bens (absolutely spectacular!). Stop at Roundstone for a Seafood dinner (the Connemara salmon is soooo delicious, try with traditional chips or the healthier choice a good salad or vegetables) and mix with white wine and ice on a hot summer day or with a refreshing pint.
And the most important of all, choose a bar to sit outside to overlook the fantastic scenery (the port of the old fisher village Roundstone is really neat and once again you can see the Twelve Bens). Check out the Roundstone Shop Musical Instruments since you can see self-made tambourins (made out of goat skin). You can also attend one of the workshops offered by the shop.
Go back to Clifden in the evening on a short cut road called Bog Road. If you are lucky you get there on one of the really hot days when the evening fog from the Atlantic can be seen for miles. Do not disturb all the sheep on the road since you can be the only one on this small road going directly through wonderful scenery.
Check out the pictures to see that this marvellous little road (endless green grass, plenty of sheep, little lakes and the Twelve Bens in the background) is one of my favourite roads in Connemara.
-Antje
